MONTAGUE — On stage is an electric guitar, keyboard, a computer, a square drum pad and a table with about 20 wine glasses of water. These are Jonny Rodgers’ instruments.
While simultaneously foreign and familiar, Rodgers’ music is pop with classical influences.
Rodgers, also known as Cindertalk, is an artist in residence at Antenna Hill Farm in Gill, a summer music festival host and artists’ retreat. Wednesday he came to perform for students at the Turners Falls High School. He spoke with students from band about the making of music — and physics classes about the mechanics of music.
Ruben Galvez, a senior physics student, said the class was learning about sound wavelengths and how to measure them.
After giving a presentation about physics to Rodgers, the students did their own performance using tuned containers of water.
“He talked to us and gave us feedback about the sounds, he knew what tune it was in,” said Glavez. “It was fun and hands on.”
Galvez said the performance was impressive.
“I thought at first it wasn’t going to be as exciting as it was. As soon as it started it was really good. The beats he was making were amazing,” Galvez said.
Following his performance in the auditorium, Rodgers stayed on stage for an additional 45 minutes to meet with high school band students, allowing them to look at his instruments and playing collaborative pieces with them.
Freshman Jada Jurek said she got to play some of the instruments.
“It was cool, I got to learn how to use his drum pad, keyboard and computer,” Jurek said. “The glasses are cool, too.”
Another freshman, Amos Koyama, had the opportunity to play alongside Rodgers with his violin. While Koyama was no stranger to improvisation, he did learn from Rodgers while on stage.
“I learned a lot of cool things,” Koyama said. “The dynamic and unique types of sounds created by the instruments like the glasses or the drum pad was fun and new.”
Principal Annie Leonard said she enjoyed having Rodgers at the school not only for the students, but anyone who enjoyed the music.
“When he started to really make the music, you could feel a change in the air and it was something authentic — students tend to really enjoy that,” Leonard said. “The performance was great, as were his interactions with the students.”
Music teacher Kayla Dedischew was able to participate, playing music with Rodgers, along with other students.
“He answered their questions and it was unique not only because of what instruments he works with and with the songs he plays and the improvisation with some students,” Dedischew said. “It was really interesting and the kids liked it, especially the loud parts.”
Rodgers was once a music teacher as well, saying he was comfortable being around children and showing them his instruments.
“I do these things to make thin the barrier between young musicians and professionals, where the real difference between the two is time and taking great pains to get good, drawing from experience,” Rodgers said. “I want to show them the tools are accessible, this is accessible.”
For those interested, Rodgers will be doing a performance to conclude his residency, at the Antenna Cloud Farm on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 4 p.m. The performance will include new music made throughout his time in Gill.